JUST months after his life-changing diagnosis former Knights star Mark Hughes is out in the community promoting brain cancer awareness.

In August 2013, the 37-year-old father-of-three underwent brain surgery to remove an avocado-sized tumour.

Only weeks earlier Mr Hughes made a precautionary visit to his GP after a few of days of intense headaches and blurred vision.

With his radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatments now complete, Mr Hughes is promoting brain cancer awareness through his charity, the Mark Hughes Foundation.

The Mark Hughes Foundation officially launched its "Beanie For Brain Cancer" week at Mayfield last week.

All Hunter schools have been invited to hold a fund-raiser in recognition of brain cancer awareness, with each student who wears a beanie asked to make a gold coin donation to the Mark Hughes Foundation.

All funds raised through the fund-raiser will go to brain cancer research at the Hunter Medical Research Institute.

Although it's early days, the Mark Hughes Foundation has already raised $90,000 for the institute.

Mr Hughes' wife, Kirralee, said the response to the fund-raiser had been great.

She said Beanie For Brain Cancer had been opened up to anyone who wanted to take part, including local businesses, footy teams and aged cared homes.

Mrs Hughes said the foundation was looking to start a research project on brain cancer at the institute by the end of the year with the money raised.

■ The Wear your Beanie for Brain Cancer Awareness week will be held from this Monday, July 28, until Friday, August 1. Go to markhughesfound-ation.com.au to register.